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Police recover trailer filled with toys for Berthoud kids

It took police eight hours to recover the trailer that was stolen Wednesday morning

By Jessica Maher

Posted:
11/29/2012 04:00:06 PM MST

Updated:
11/29/2012 04:00:12 PM MST

BERTHOUD -- More than 150 children here almost missed out on a Christmas gift this year when a trailer filled with toys was stolen early Wednesday morning from the parking lot of Grace Place Church.

Berthoud Police recovered the trailer -- and all its contents -- about eight hours after it was reported missing from the church at 250 Mountain Avenue.

Those eight hours were nerve-wracking for Kim Land, outreach pastor at Grace Place and president of Christmas in Berthoud, the annual community event that kicks off on Saturday.

“Since Berthoud's a small community we don't have United Way or Santa Cops, so as a community we try to work together to get kids the things they need,” Land said.

Land woke up to an early morning phone call on Wednesday. She was told that a street sweeper called police around 4 a.m. after witnessing two men hooking a silver Ford pickup truck up to the trailer and driving away.

After the truck and trailer were spotted driving northbound on Highway 287 in Loveland around 7:30 a.m., the trailer was recovered by police just before noon. It was found behind buildings north of Berthoud in Larimer County but police have not released the address. The lock on the trailer had not been tampered with and all toys were still inside.

A spokesperson for the police department said Thursday that they have identified suspects but have not yet made arrests. The incident is still under investigation.

This year, 170 children were nominated as recipients for Christmas in Berthoud gifts, an increase of more than 50 children over last year. Community members nominate needy families for the program, which also seeks to provide families with a monetary donation so parents have an opportunity to pick out gifts for their children. Events held this weekend will raise money for the families.

The toys in the trailer were donated by Habitat for Humanity and include two pallets of Ninja Hamsters. Habitat for Humanity, who had a surplus of toys donated to them, gave the toys to Christmas in Berthoud back in August. They have been in the trailer since then.

“It was the whole principle of the thing,” Land said. “I'm sure the person who took the trailer didn't know the toys were in there.”

Police said they are unsure of a motive. Anyone with information on the incident should contact Berthoud Police at 532-2611.

For more information on Christmas in Berthoud events, or to donate, visit www.christmasinberthoud.org.

Jessica Maher can be reached at 669-5050 ext. 516 or maherj@reporter-herald.com. Follow her on Twitter: @JessicaMaherRH.

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